MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Francisco has developed into a typhoon but it remains unlikely to directly affect the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday.
Nathaniel Servando, Pagasa chief, said the typhoon was estimated to be 1, 055 kilometers east of Central Luzon while moving west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph).
Packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150kph, the typhoon will likely remain over the Philippine Sea all throughout the forecast period.
However, Signal No. 1 may be hoisted Monday over some areas in the northern and eastern portions of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes, Servando said.
“Also, a closer approach to extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out should the forecast track continue to shift westward,” he added.
While the trough or extension of the typhoon has been affecting Bicol Region, the southwest monsoon or habagat has been bringing scattered rains in Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan, Pagasa said.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have isolated downpours or thunderstorms due to the localized thunderstorms.
